2007: The Leaves

Children of Chaos as The Leaves. Photo by Geoff Silver.

The theme for Burning Man 2007 was The Green Man and, at the center of Black Rock City, the Man stood above a 30,000 square foot tent that contained exhibits about the environment and technological innovation. To celebrate the Green Man, the Children of Chaos created the Leaves and we convened the Green and Orange Brigade.

Burning Man 2007: The Green and Orange Brigade. Photo by Geoff Silver.

Leaves: Vic and Ingrid. Photo by J. Priestley.

To create leaf masks, we started with thermoplastic mesh , a medical product that is used in radiation therapy.

First we softened the mesh in warm water and then draped it onto someone’s face. It immediately molded to the contours, cooled and became rigid.

We trimmed the edge of the mesh into a leaf shape, sprayed it with green enamel and attached fabric and plastic leaves, fern fronds and flowers to the edges of the masks, to frame our faces.

The masks fit perfectly and were very comfortable to wear.  The process was very fast and simple and the only downside was that the thermoplastic mesh is expensive.

At Burning Man, we organized the Green and Orange Brigade and processed through Black Rock City and the playa.

Photo by J. Priestley

A total lunar eclipse was visible from the playa this year on Tuesday morning around 2 AM. Around that time, Paul Addis climbed on top of the exhibits beneath the Man and set the 40-foot-tall Man sculpture on fire. Smoke and flames were visible from everywhere in Black Rock City.

Addis was apprehended by Black Rock Rangers and turned over to the local Sheriff. His action destroyed the Man (left) and endangered the lives of several people who were underneath the fire.

The Man Crew was able to build a new Man in only 35 hours and the burn went on as scheduled. Addis told The San Francisco Chronicle after his arrest on arson and other charges that Burning Man had become too suburban and needed spontaneity. He was convicted and served nearly two years in prison in Nevada.

Burning Man 2007 (47,366)
Theme: The Green Man
Temple of Forgiveness by David Best
Children of Chaos: The Leaves, Green and Orange Brigade